Abstract
Author(s): P.Balaji*, M.Thirumal, R.Gowri, V.Divyaand Ramaswamy Vadivelan
The present investigation highlights the design and evaluation of matrix type transdermal patches of Methotrexate (MTX) with various polymer concentration of Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and Ethyl cellulose (EC). Methotrexate which is an anticancer drug which have the half life of about 3 hours and bioavailability of about 60% used for the treatment of cancer. F1 and F2 formulation with HPMC in the ratio 1:1 and 1:2, F3and F4formulation withEC in the ratio 1:1 and 1:2 were prepared. The drug polymer interaction studies were carried out and found the drug is compatible with polymer. The prepared patches were evaluated for their physicochemical characterization followed by the in vitroevaluation test. The various parameters like thickness weight variation, Percentage moisture absorption, Percentage moisture loss, microbial count, drug content and in vitrodiffusion was studied. It was observed that viscosity had a major influence on drug release from hydrophilic matrixes. F1formulation drug release is 96% at end of 8 hours effectively when compared to EC patches which have drug release of only 86%. The F1formulation showed a good dissolution profile due to decrease in viscosity of polymer. Theaccelerated short term stability study indicated that the optimized formulation F1 has very good stability at 40 o / 75% / RH for a period of 3 months .Hence we conclude that Methotrexate transdermal patches suits the ideal requirements of transdermal drug delivery system and also improves the patient compliance